ERGONOMICS & STYLING
Demands of working environment
force development
The Swedish working environment pushed the
need for better-designed cabins. The reality of
hydraulic systems is that hoses and connectors
will leak over time and hoses take up a lot of
space. The joystick grips that control the
hydraulic valves demand more muscle power
compared to working with electronic joysticks.
Electronic components are cleaner, neater and
easier to move with little effort. Furthermore,
they allows machine designers to develop
computer-aided control, resulting in higher
efficiency and precision.
“Most forestry machines in Sweden are owned
by private entrepreneurs,” says Tomas. “Since the
operator owns his own machine he tends to work
very long days and has high demands for his
working environment. They don’t like to breathe
in the oil mist, for example.”
These special conditions mean that the
makers of forestry machines had to be on their
toes to deliver the best machines in their local
market, while other companies around the world
could continue to offer hydraulic machines. The
digitalization of controls is now catching up,
partly because regulatory demands for the
working environment are getting more stringent.
Mining safer with digital solutions
Mining means heavy usage and a tough
environment for both man and machine. Safety
is the highest priority. The drill rigs need to
endure high moisture, temperature changes, dust
and chemicals. All drill rigs are hydraulic, but
the steering and machine control have changed
to electronic joysticks in most machines over
the last 10 years.
“We want to create a platform with proven
solutions that are reusable in many of our
products,” says Jan Knutsson, hardware
development manager at Epiroc, a Nordic world
leader in drill rigs. “Electronic, digital solutions
are beneficial for many reasons. For one, it makes
it easier to provide spare parts, since one article
can be used for many applications. A rig’s
behavior is defined in the software, which makes
spare parts more generic. Easier troubleshooting
of the machines is another benefit.”
Today it’s normal that a machine works
autonomously during common tasks such as
a haulage from A to B. When it’s time to load or
drill, an operator takes command remotely. In
many mines, a single operator in a safe control
room controls several machines.
Smart and elegant controllers
By now, most machine manufacturers understand
that electronic controllers and joysticks turn the
cabin into a cleaner and safer working
environment. However, there are many further
possibilities, for example the way the driver can
personalize settings and make the machine adapt
to his particular way of reacting. Another clever
example is how the electrification of the brake
iVT International Off-Highway 2020
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ATLAS COPCO/EPIROC